Overview
- Revenues fell 3.3% in 2023 and 2.1% in 2024, marking the first consecutive two-year decline in roughly 30 years.
- Automotive makers saw sales drop 3.0% and parts suppliers lost 5.2%, while chemical firms’ revenues dipped 2.8% and energy sales slid about 20% as 2022 price gains reversed.
- Construction revenues jumped 11.2% and consumer-focused sectors such as e-commerce, health care and IT recorded gains between 6.7% and 8.0%.
- Volkswagen held the top spot with a 0.7% revenue increase and Schwarz Dienstleistung KG grew 4.9% as Mercedes and BMW both declined and swapped ranking positions while Deutsche Bahn’s 42% slump largely reflected the Schenker spin-off.
- Total employment among the Top-500 firms rose 2.2% in 2024 despite widespread revenue pressure.